Let’s Talk Turkey …And Dressing!
The Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, are already getting excited about Thanksgiving! They’re once again having the great “stuffing vs dressing” debate, researching all things cranberry, and making sure they’ve signed up for the annual Turkey Trot. And this year, they’re also going to try something new to them—tandoori turkey! Veterans Day But before Thanksgiving comes Veterans Day, which honors U.S. veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. In Alpharetta, American Legion Post 201 will celebrate with its eighth annual Cruz-In Car Show Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This FREE event will feature everything from classic to muscle cars, music, activities for the kiddos, and hamburgers, hotdogs, and Brunswick stew. Oh, and of course some barbecue. More Upcoming Events Even before Veterans Day there is plenty of fun to be had in Awesome Alpharetta, especially at the new Helium Comedy Club at Winward Plaza. Make plans now to be in the audience for Halal Hilarity Wednesday, November 6, 2024 (doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.). Organized by Philadelphia native comedians Usman Habib and Moses The Comic, this remarkable groundbreaking showcase brings together an ensemble of internationally renowned Muslim comedians for what promises to be a night of non-stop laughter and unforgettable entertainment. Later in the month, the winter holiday season will get going full force with the lighting of the 50-foot downtown Alpharetta Christmas tree in Park Plaza Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (actual ceremony at 6:30 p.m.). Enjoy live music, snow flurries, vignettes from Metropolitan Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker, sing-alongs, and more! And, Santa Claus and friends will make a guest appearance! November 23rd is also when Alpharetta’s Annual Holiday Food Drive starts. Residents and businesses are invited to donate non-perishable goods to the North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) Food Pantry. You can drop off items at seven Alpharetta locations during business hours or place any time on four of the wooden trees placed in downtown. That’s also the date for the Arts Alpharetta Artists’ Holiday Market—a perfect place to find some unique gifts to give this year! The Thanksgiving Table So, dressing or stuffing? What’s the difference? The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ will let you in on a secret—they actually like both! And there’s no way they’re going to try to settle the great debate about what the difference is…..they’ll let certain culinary experts do that. Instead, knowing full well that everybody thinks their grandma’s recipe is best, they’re sharing two they like: Southern Living’s Cornbread Dressing and Food & Wine’s Mushroom-and-Chestnut Stuffing with Giblets. Either would go great with tandoori turkey, a culinary delight that combines the best of East Indian flavors with that perennial American favorite roasted bird. Just think about the tandoori chicken you had on Diwali earlier this month—same concept! Cranberry Creations Another perennial American favorite at Thanksgiving is cranberry sauce. Some people swear by homemade, others prefer it right out of that familiar comforting can. Another popular spin is cranberry chutney, a sweet, spicy, and tangy blend of cranberries cooked with a mix of Indian spices like cumin, coriander, and a touch of cayenne. Yep, you guessed it—it pairs beautifully with tandoori turkey! This is also the time to try out some different cranberry juice mock- and cocktails while gathering in your luxe Belmont at Park Bridge apartment home. The Ginger Shandy (another name for a Cranberry Mule) is a perfect mix of sweet, zest, and effervescence that nicely balances out the heavy holiday foods (we’re looking at you, macaroni and cheese, and sweet potato casserole!). Gobble, Gobble! No, wait—it’s the Gobble Wobble! Alpharetta’s ninth annual Thanksgiving Day 5K/10K and Fun Run. Sign the whole family up to make memories Thursday, November 28, 2024. Connect with the community, enjoy the outdoors, and kick off Thanksgiving with a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie. All races will start at Halcyon, the earliest at 7:45 a.m.
Live & Local, Fall Fun & Football
Dear Residents, As summer winds down and we welcome the first day of Autumn, we have an exciting event lined up for September! National Coffee Day: Mark your calendars for September 27th! We’re celebrating National Coffee Day with a special event at the clubhouse. Come enjoy a variety of coffee and some tasty snacks. For more details on what’s happening locally this month, be sure to read the rest of our blog. There are plenty of events and activities in the area that you won’t want to miss! Looking forward to seeing you at these events and around the community! Wishing you a Happy Fall! Sonya Sandoval, Community Manager LOOKING AHEAD TO SOMETHING LIVE & LOCAL With fall comes football, and with football comes the fun of tailgating with family and friends! But before we get to dishing the goods on tailgate goodies, the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ want to talk about having some other kinds of fun in and around awesome Alpharetta, Georgia. Go ahead and mark your calendars now for Alpharetta’s Wire & Woods Songwriters Festival, planned for October 11-12, 2024. This FREE event will feature two headliners (Sixpence None the Richer Friday night and Neal Francis Saturday evening), and more than 30 performances across multiple stages throughout downtown. Should be a blast for everyone from nani and dadi to the kids! Then, the next weekend there is another FREE community event—the Boo Bash! Head over to Wills Park wearing your family-friendly costumes from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024. The littles can get their treat bags, and everybody can play games, dance, and watch a movie when the sun goes down. POPULAR GAMEDAY GOODIES Now, back to football! Whether you’re going to an NFL game with colleagues or watching ESPN and rooting for your favorite college team out of the weather and in the sumptuous comfort of your apartment home at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, you’ll want to make sure to have plenty of tasty treats on hand to satisfy family and friends. And yourself, of course! PICKLES & VEG Google for gameday goodies and you’ll find that pickles are really hot this fall—especially when you serve them cold in this Duke’s Mayo Pickle Dip. The Idea Specialists™ love the idea of putting this on burgers and hot dogs, using it for a different kind of chicken nugget sauce, and of course just eating it on some chips or crackers. Check out more sweet and sour food for thought in Delish’s 53 Pickle Recipes You Never Knew You Needed. Looking for some ideas for good vegetarian party foods? Take a look at Spoon University for some great videos on spicy snacks—from vegan wings (easy vegetable pakoras) to vada pav (basically Indian veggie burgers, only way better). COOLER CONCOCTIONS, DESI-STYLE Soft drinks, waters, beers, and spritzers are all cooler staples. Treat your guests to a little something extra with some restaurant-style mango lassi, which you can make ahead in a large lidded pitcher or non-glass beverage dispenser for easy transport. Masala & Chai has recipes for some other drinks that are sure to be crowd-pleasers (like the ice pumpkin cream chai latte!). TAKEAWAY TIME No time to get in your gourmet Belmont at Park Bridge kitchen before the next get-together? No worries! Madras Chettinaad on State Bridge Road has an incredible catering menu, with everything from the basics like samosa chaat, tandoori chicken, and puri to special veg and non-veg curries. And, of course, gulab jamun for dessert! Yummy! GAMEDAY MUST-HAVE The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ know from experience that while it’s all fun and games on the field, collegiate and pro stadiums don’t play around when it comes to fan do’s and don’ts. One of the biggies is making sure that any bag you take in with you meets guidelines. These days you can go to Amazon and spend about as much or as little as you’d like on a bag. The ET website has the skinny; the Specialists are going with the imminently practical LOXOMU crossbody bag. (But this acrylic WJCD bag that comes in SO many colors and has a removable chain looks like so much fun! Maybe both?) Go Team!
Belmont Park Bridge Apartments is the Perfect Place for an End-of-Summer Staycation! Celebrate the Last Days of Summer Exploring Alpharetta!
Dear Residents, Even though it’s nearing the end of the summer season, we hope you’ve had a fantastic time and will be able to reflect on good vibes and special memories—especially those created here at Belmont Park Bridge Apartment Community! And speaking of good vibes, we’re excited to announce some upcoming events that we think you’ll love. REGISTER TO WIN A BACK TO SCHOOL BACKPACK From July 26th through August 1st, swing by the office for a chance to win a backpack filled with back-to-school goodies! It’s our way of helping you kick off the school year in style. NATIONAL LEMONADE DAY Then, on August 20th, join us for National Lemonade Day! We’ll be serving up refreshing lemonade in the office all day, so swing by to cool off and enjoy a sweet treat. We’ll also have lemonade ready for the kids when they get off the bus! Of course, there is always something new in our Little Free Library. Share with us what you read this summer. As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our friendly team. Now—read on to learn more about what’s happening in Alpharetta in August—and let’s talk about STAYCATIONS! EXPLORING ALPHARETTA Awesome Alpharetta does an excellent job of keeping a current running list of the many wonderful FREE local activities you can take advantage of during your staycation—or any other time, for that matter. From hiking and biking to art and history, there’s something for everybody to enjoy. If you haven’t been already, now might be the time to spend a day at Wills Park on Old Milton Parkway and Wills Road. Belmont Park Bridge is a very pet-friendly community, so the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ were pleased to be reminded of Waggy World, the dog park there. MAKING THE BEST OF YOUR STAYCATION The American Automobile Association (AAA) says the key to a good staycation is remembering that you’re on vacation, which can be hard to do when you’re staying home. They offer a few tips for planning: Stop daily chores and routines. Focus on activities you wouldn’t normally do. Select activities that relax you and bring you joy. Have a plan, even if it’s a loose one. Set a budget and stick to it. Of course the loose plan the Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ have come up with involves hanging (with some sparkling cocktails) at the convenient community pool. And not only is it convenient, it and the sun deck and all of the landscaping and common areas are always so gorgeous and clean! We owe this to the exceptional work of our service team members, which is why we’re going the extra mile to honor them by declaring August as Maintenance Appreciation Month. Both AAA and Apartments.com have some great ideas about ways to spend your staycation. One suggestion is to cook a fancy meal. And sure, that’s always easy to do in your well-appointed apartment home kitchen, but the Idea Specialists™ have been amusing themselves lately by watching TikToks on private chefs in the Hamptons, which gave them an idea…… YOUR OWN PERSONAL CHEF Why not hire a personal chef for your staycation? Atlanta Personal Chef Service can prepare delicious dinners in their own kitchen or yours. They offer everything from weekly meal services to tasting menus, with special events in between! And if you’re going to enjoy lovely meals, why not splurge a little and get some lovely new linens to freshen up your dining table? ELLE Decor has turned the Idea Specialists™ on to the Ridhi brand of boho-inspired linens (handmade!) in all manner of summery patterns and prints. According to the site, “You can score a set of printed cloth napkins for just $26, tablecloths starting at $53, and placemats for under $40 (all on Amazon), allowing you to create the colorful tablescape of your dreams without breaking the bank.” FAMILY SUMMER MOVIE MARATHON Another good idea for an August staycation is a family summer movie marathon. A google search (the Idea Specialists™ do so love to search!) shows that the Pioneer Woman has a popular post up: “30 Best Summer Movies for Kids That Are Almost as Fun as Being Outside” One of those is that all-time classic The Karate Kid, starring Ralph Macchio. It doesn’t matter whether your gang is caught up on all six series of Cobra Kai or not, it’s still worth the watch—or re-watch! BACK TO SCHOOL School seems to start earlier and earlier every year, doesn’t it? These days getting the kids ready to go back to class means familiarizing yourself with their different schools’ websites. Belmont at Park Bridge is located in the prestigious North Fulton County School District, which has a central website that links to all schools in the area. Getting ready also means scoping out those sometimes-wicked drop-off and pick-up lines, and making sure everybody has got the supplies they need. And want. According to the National Retail Federation’s Annual 2024 Back-to-School Survey, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and electronics. The NRF’s survey said they expect $38.8 billion to be spent on school supplies in the United States—the second-highest figure on record. Hot items for teens for fall semester 2024 are North Face backpacks and Vera Bradley lunch bags. (Students at schools that require clear backpacks can still have some fun with colors if they go with a Vorspack.) HIGH SCHOOL DOESN’T HAVE TO BE HORRIBLE Got somebody about to start their freshman year of high school? Here’s some guidance for them, from a teenage neighbor of one of the Idea Specialists™. “For classes keep on track with your work and make sure you have all the supplies you need. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t know something. Most people are nice and will talk to you if you talk to them. For things to wear be casual, don’t dress up crazy for school. Lastly, keep in mind that learning is important but that’s not what school is all about, have fun and make friends.” Oh,
Belmont at Park Bridge Welcomes the Joys of June & Father’s Day, Works to Heighten Awareness of Alzheimer’s
June brings with it many joys, including Father’s Day and the summer solstice. It also provides the Belmont at Park Bridge upscale apartment home community in Alpharetta, Georgia, with an opportunity to join with others across the country in a show of support of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month with purple ribbons and purple clothes. In fact, a google search about initiatives of the Alzheimer’s Association reveals that one of them—The Longest Day®—encourages people to “outshine the darkness” of Alzheimer’s disease with a fundraiser of their own choice in connection with the summer solstice, the day of the year with the most light. This year that will be Thursday, June 20. Understanding Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It is not considered a normal part of aging, but, rather, a progressive disease. There is no known cure. The Georgia Chapter of the association provides resources and support to all those impacted by the disease. Sharing Stories Sometimes personal stories can help us understand a medical condition that hasn’t affected us directly. The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ were deeply moved by the 2014 movie Still Alice. Starring Julianne Moore, who won a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of a linguistics professor with a rare hereditary form of early-onset Alzheimer’s, it’s something you can watch in the privacy and comfort of your luxury apartment home. Another great option for Father’s Day—Sunday, June 16, 2024—is to provide him with the experience of a lifetime. Virgin Experience Gifts has something for every type of dad—foodie, gearhead, adventurer, golfer—you name it! Live, Local & Loud Something else fun to do to celebrate Dad, or the start of summer, would be to take advantage of some of the great live music at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre at Encore Park. From the Dave Matthews Band on June 12 to Alanis Morisette with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade on June 22—with Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Musical Festival in between on June 21—there’s something for everyone! The U.S. Open Finally, it just wouldn’t be a good June blog without a mention of the U.S. Open Golf Championship, being played at No. 2 Pinehurst outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, June 13-16, 2024. It’s always a memorable experience, whether you attend or watch it with a group of friends at Taffer’s Tavern. Father’s Day Fun Sometimes socks just won’t cut it when it comes delighting Dad on his day. The Idea Specialists™ know that they can’t go wrong with the father figures in their lives by giving the gift of a good bourbon, and this year the Master of Malt blog has done a great list of the Top 10 everyone needs to try in 2024. Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Whisky is probably a safe bet, but they’re really intrigued by Heaven’s Door 10 Year Old Redbreast Master Blenders’ Edition Whiskey (it’s got a Bob Dylan connection!).
It’s National Pet Month, & Alpharetta’s Belmont at Park Bridge is Marking the Occasion!
Along with Mother’s Day, graduations, Movie Monday’s at Belmont, and Memorial Day, May marks the occasion of one of our favorite celebrations here at Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia. That’s right, it’s National Pet Month! We are definitely a pet-friendly upscale apartment home community, with nearby walking areas and pet stations throughout the property so that you and your furry friends are able to enjoy the outdoors together. Love Is A 4-Legged Word Our Idea Specialists™ consider cat hair to be a fashion accessory and never met a dog they didn’t like. Sot it was a real pleasure for them to spend a little time on the old Google looking for some fun ways to treat themselves and their fur babies. While on the search, they learned that National Pet Week is also a thing, always observed during the first full week of May. It’s sponsored by the Auxiliary to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to foster responsible pet ownership, recognize the human-animal bond, and increase public awareness of veterinary medicine. Could the theme for 2024 be any better? It’s “Love is 4-legged word.” Hugs and pets all around!! And cookies, dog cookies, too! At Unexpected Pooch in Halcyon, where you also can get high-quality food and supplies for both canines and felines. Gifts For Grads & Moms While the traditional gift of cash to graduates might seem boring, it doesn’t have to be if you put it in a pop-up bouncing gift box filled with confetti. Fun!! The Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ some moms themselves, think these packages from Spoonful of Comfort will help the strong feminine presence in your life have a “soup-er” Mother’s Day! (They also understand that you might just be tempted to treat yourself to of their yummy goodies to enjoy in your comfy clothes in the privacy of your own luxury apartment.) And, the Idea Specialist™ also found the perfect combo of pet love and a present for both your favorite moms and favorite grads in a custom watercolor painting on canvas. Just upload a photo of your four-legged friend and Texture of Dreams will do the rest! Flowers & Food After giving Mom some flowers (of course!), you can’t go wrong with taking her out for a special meal on her special day. Awesome Alpharetta has links to different events, shops, and restaurants with Mother’s Day offerings, and South City Kitchen at The Hotel Avalon is featuring a “Sparkling & Sweet Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner.” Both seatings will include a take-home gift of boxed assorted macaroons. So yummy. So, so yummy, just like their hazelnut chocolate cake, which is one of the dessert selections. Make Memorial Day Memorable The Idea Specialists™ know it might seem a little early in the month to be planning your friends and family Memorial Day gathering by the gorgeous Belmont at Park Bridge resort-style pool or at one of our charming picnic areas, but advance planning is never a bad thing! Speaking of the pool—our team is working hard to have our pool open by Friday, May 24, so we can all enjoy it Memorial Day weekend! Stay tuned… This year, they’re for sure including grilled peach caprese salad on the menu, with the freshest of peaches and tomatoes from the Downtown Alpharetta Famers Market. There are lots of recipes out there for this spring and summer classic, but our group is particularly fond of this one at How Sweet Eats (and not just because food personality and cookbook author Jessica Merchant says glitter is her middle name, LOL). We’re also fond of a nice sangria by the pool, and Southern Living has a great piece on which wines to use for it. If you don’t already have a favorite way to make yours, check out this white sangria on Dinners, Dishes & Desserts. Honoring Their Memory Watching the National Memorial Day Concert, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra with guest performers, is an annual tradition for the Idea Specialists™. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Chiefs of Staff also participate in the concert, offering their leadership perspective on the value and honor of military service and acknowledging the challenges that veterans and their families face. Always broadcast and streamed by PBS the Sunday night before Memorial Day, the concert honors our country’s veterans, servicemen and women, and military families, and all those who died in America’s wars. Its goal is to unite the country in remembrance and appreciation of those who gave their lives for our nation and serves those who are grieving through the mission put forward by Abraham Lincoln in his second inaugural address, “Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”
MARCH IS NATIONAL READING MONTH & BELMONT AT PARK BRIDGE IS GETTING A LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
PLAN TO ATTEND THE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY DEDICATION FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2024, AT 2:30 P.M.! Belmont at Park Bridge in Alpharetta, Georgia, has some really fun and exciting news—we’re getting our very own Little Free Library! And it’s extra special to our community because it was hand-crafted by Octavio Camejo, one of our maintenance technicians, in his shop. Dedication During National Reading Month The timing for the 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, ribbon-cutting and dedication of our Little Free Library couldn’t be more perfect, because it’s happening during National Reading Month! An effort by the National Education Association (NEA), this is part of Read Across America, the nation’s largest ongoing celebration of reading. The program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone. Placing A Premium On Education Part of the reason our residents choose to live at Belmont at Park Bridge is because they place a premium on education, and our upscale apartment community is very close to excellent schools, including Ocee Elementary School, an easy five-minute drive at just a little over a mile away. Of course, reading is one of the very fundamentals of getting a good education. But did you know that there are also positive cognitive and emotional effects of reading on child development? According to the Child Mind Institute, studies have shown that it helps children develop language skills and amass “background knowledge,” build empathy, and learn how to manage challenging feelings. Free Book Sharing Belmont at Park Bridge decided to become the home of a Little Free Library because of its commitment to building a strong community, which is a goal it shares with the nonprofit. The global book-sharing movement got its start in 2009, and since then has expanded to include more than 175,000 libraries in 121 countries. It’s all about inspiring readers and expanding access to books! Why Does Book Access Matter? The United States is facing growing literacy crisis, with more than 30 million members of its adult population unable to read or write above a third-grade level. Studies have repeatedly shown that books in the hands of children have a meaningful impact on improving literacy. The more books in or near the home, the more likely a child will learn and love to read. But two out of three children living in poverty have no books to call their own. Little Free Library book-sharing boxes play an essential role by providing 24/7 access to books (and encouraging a love of reading!), especially in areas where books are scarce. How Does It Work? A Little Free Library is a free book-sharing box where anyone may take a book or share a book. It functions on the honor system. You do not need to share a book in order to take one. If you take a book or two from one, try to bring some to share to that same library, or another in your area, when you can. Registered little libraries have a primary caretaker, called a Little Free Library steward. The steward is usually the person who puts up the library. The steward takes care of basic maintenance like keeping the library clean and inviting, but it is up to everyone who uses the library to keep it stocked with good books. Encourage Reading! We can’t wait to see all the different kinds of books our community members will share through the Little Free Library! And we can’t wait to “get caught reading” by our kids! Children imitate what they see the adults around them do. So, when they see us with a magazine, newspaper, or novel, it tells them that reading is the cool thing to do. Some tips on encouraging reading: Keep books everywhere you spend time. Put them in the car, in every room of your apartment home, and tuck them in backpacks and purses. Make them easily accessible. Visit the library often (in addition to our new Little Free Library!). Knowing how to use the library and learning the benefits of a library fosters a love of reading as well as genuine respect for the services libraries provide. Read to your children. No matter their age, reading aloud strengthens their vocabulary and language skills. It also opens opportunities for discussion. Have your children read to you, too. You never know what you might learn! Mark Your Calendars! Again, the dedication of our special Little Free Library will be Friday, March 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. We picked the time to make sure that everybody’s kids would be home from school in time to attend, and it promises to be a fun family affair, complete with festive refreshments! So, mark your calendars and plan to join us then! Sonya Sandoval, Community Manager and the Team at Belmont Park Bridge
Love is in the Air at Belmont at Park Bridge!
Need some ideas about how to celebrate your Valentine/Galentine/Palentine this year? The Idea Specialists™ at Belmont at Park Bridge—one of Alpharetta, Georgia’s most picturesque and luxurious apartment home communities—are here with ideas that go above and beyond a box of chocolates! Bonbon Hugs & Cocktail Kisses Not that there’s anything wrong with a box of chocolates, especially if they’re those divine truffles from Kilwin’s at Halcyon! Which will be even better if you savor them at home in comfort with a special Valentine’s Day cocktail like Love Potion No. 9, a triple berry pomegranate martini with strawberry vodka and Chambord—and a little dry ice for magically romantic presentation. Another fun one to try might be the Clover Club, a pink drink that pre-dates Prohibition that was created as the signature sip of a group of high-powered businessmen who met at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The sweet and tart concoction combines grenadine, gin, and lemon, and the classic egg white foam gives each sip creamy body and frothy texture. And if you want to show that someone special in your life a little extra love, you could whisper sweet nothings in their ear while feeding them sweet somethings that you made yourself. Check out Delish for recipes for everything from cannoli bites to red velvet ice cream. Romantic Dining Oh, wait, did Belmont at Park Bridge Idea Specialists™ just eat dessert first? They certainly did, LOL. But not to worry, they’ve got dinner covered, too, whether you want to eat in or go out on the town. One of the wonderful things about living at Belmont at Park Bridge is gourmet kitchens with enough counter space to make cooking a truly enjoyable experience. It’s Delish again with the win for recipe ideas for tempting and tasty romantic meals. The Idea Specialists™ are real fans of their creamy steak fettucine paired with a winter rainbow panzanella salad of colorful, roasted squash and beets tossed in a tang-sweet dressing with fresh herbs, grapefruit, blue cheese, and toasted sourdough. Pretty and satisfying! Somewhere Special Sometimes you just want to celebrate somewhere special. This year, the Idea Specialists™ are making reservations at Halcyon’s Ocean & Acre, where of course they’ll start with some oysters and bubbly! In addition to the classic menu—which celebrates both local farm communities and coastal cultures with signature smoked meats, seasonal produce, and shareable seafood dishes—the Valentine’s Day chef specials will include including an Alabama jumbo lump crab and avocado salad, pan-roasted halibut, braised short rib, and a white chocolate ricotta cheesecake. Yummy! A Delicious Date Night Looking for other ideas of ways to mark the occasion, especially if you have a conflict on February 14th? Then Date Night at Avalon every Monday through Thursday (excluding Valentine’s Day) might be just the thing for you and your sweetie! With multiple participating restaurants and complimentary valet parking, you can count on a festive experience that’s both easy and delicious!
CELEBRATE THE 4TH OF JULY ALL SUMMER LONG AT BELMONT PARK BRIDGE—AND OUT & ABOUT IN ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA!
Celebrate summer poolside at Belmont Park Bridge—and out and about in Alpharetta, Georgia, where there’s always something fun to do! Lounge In Luxury Our upscale apartment community’s resort-style saltwater pool is one of the coolest things about living here (no pun intended, LOL!). Lounge in luxury while snacking on some fresh fruit you picked up at the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market and sipping on “the” cocktail of summer 2023, a Hugo Spritz. The refreshing drink is named after a boutique hotel in Florence, Italy, where it’s often used to welcome travelers when they arrive after a long day of hiking. With elderflower liqueur, usually St. Germain, as its signature, it’s an alternative to the more-common Aperol Spritz, which has its roots in nearby Padua. (You can pick up what you need for the recipe at Total Wine & More in Alpharetta’s North Point Market Center.) RECIPE FOR THE HUGO SPRITZ Ingredients Elderflower Liqueur (St. Germain) Sparkling Wine (Prosecco or Cava) Sparkling Water (or Club Soda) Mint (Leaves) Lime (Slices Directions To make one Hugo Spritz, start with a wine glass half full of ice. Pour in 1/2 ounce of elderflower liqueur. Top with 4 ounces of the sparkling wine, then finish with 1 ounce of sparkling water. Gently stir to combine. Taste a sip; add more sparkling water or wine to as desired. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and lime slices. Avalon Nights Live One way to enjoy yourself in town is to take advantage live music in the Plaza every Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Avalon Nights Live! Bring your tailgate chairs and blankets—and your family and friends so you can dance the night away! An event bar operates out of the back of Avalon’s Concierge; no coolers are permitted. Home By Dark And once again the beloved Home by Dark at Brooke Street Park Concert Series has returned to delight Belmont Park Bridge music lovers old and young. Plan to bring a blanket and picnic to enjoy a night of stories, songs, and inspiration you’ll never forget. Take Me Out To the Ballgame If you want to venture just a little farther afield, plan a drive down into the city to catch hometown homerun heroes the Atlanta Braves at play at Truist Park. Peanuts, Cracker Jack, draft beer, and a hotdog and some popcorn will make your outing complete!
OUSTANDING CHARACTER, EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE–OCEE IS THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR BELMONT AT PARK BRIDGE FAMILIES
One of the things that makes living at Belmont at Park Bridge great is its proximity to excellent schools, including Ocee Elementary School, an easy five-minute drive at just a little over a mile away. And families don’t have to make that drive every day if they don’t want to! Instead, most choose to take advantage of the bus service offered by the Fulton County Schools Transportation Department. Drivers are trained to operate safe, clean, and well-maintained school buses. Their mission is to deliver students safely to school on time and in a frame of mind ready to learn. Students are delivered to school under the dry bus awning, early enough to participate in the breakfast program, and will never be counted tardy regardless of arrival time! Rated in the top 10% of all schools in Georgia by Public School Review, Ocee places an emphasis on clear and concise expectations for students, which helps foster a fun yet focused learning environment. From hands-on science experiments to interactive math and reading exercises that incorporate current real-life examples—like learning to use a debit card—the teachers at Ocee are always looking for unique ways to engage their students. “Ocee Elementary School placed in the top 10% of all schools in Georgia for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%) for the 2020-21 school year.” —Public School Review Ocee is an A-rated school on Niche in all categories—academics, diversity, and teachers. And with class sizes at an average 14:1 student to teacher ratio, the teachers are able to get to know the kids in their classes for the unique individuals they are. “Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be A Problem Solver” –The Ocee Way This is a school that understands parent participation in a child’s education is paramount, which is why it offers Ocee Parent Universities, lecture-style sessions hosted once a month that discuss topics relevant to parenting an engaged student. “Building Literacy Skills at Home” and “Supporting Your Virtual Learner” are just two examples. It also offers students and their families support with after-school programs like tutoring and YMCA, as well as a wide variety of vendor-provided activities: Art Discover Science Debate Chess Kids Yoga Ocee student groups include Chorus (fourth- and fifth-grade), Reading Bowl, and Reading Academy. The team at Belmont at Park Bridge knows that families considering where to live also want to review primary source data about the school their children will attend, which is why we want to make it easy for everyone to find the Georgia Schools Grade Report on Ocee, issued by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. The last one issued was for 2019; the state notes that for school years 2020 and 2021, various pandemic-related issues resulted in a lack of data for most metrics, which meant no grades were issued. We would love for you and your littles to call Belmont at Park Bridge home—and become proud Ocee Otters! We get so much enjoyment out of greeting the kids and hearing about their days when they get off the school bus, especially when we are having one of our ice cream socials for them. Call us at 770-664-6502 or email belmont@arlingtonproperties.net to schedule your tour and see for yourself everything our pet-friendly upscale apartment home community has to offer!
Looking for a New 1 Bedroom Apartment in the Heart of Alpharetta?
How about an apartment community with amenities like a brand-new fitness center, indoor racquetball court, resort-style pool with sun deck, two lighted tennis courts, and beautifully landscaped walkable spaces? Welcome to Belmont at Park Bridge, located at 150 Rockberry Lane, in the prestigious 30005 zip code, and our much sought-after 1-bedroom apartment home favorite, The Derby. Choosing The Derby floor plan offers residents reimagined living in a jewel of an apartment, a spacious open floor plan, ample closet space, and a private patio or balcony with outside storage. Add a wood-burning fireplace, gourmet kitchen with gas range, silver mist or black appliances, and a serving bar and dining room ideal for entertaining—and you have to ask–what more could you want? (High-speed Internet? We have that too!) There is one more thing—location, location, location. Located at the center of North Fulton’s prestigious business corridor, near John’s Creek, Avalon, and the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Belmont at Park Bridge offers the convenience you desire and the value you love–all at one location. There is one more thing—location, location, location. Located at the center of North Fulton County, Belmont Park Bridge enjoys it highly-rated and celebrated school system. In the heart of Alpharetta’s prestigious business corridor, near John’s Creek, Avalon, and the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, Belmont at Park Bridge offers the convenience you desire and the value you love–all at one location.
